sour crop / impacted crop in elderly fragile bird

[kathyd]

Hi. Yet another post about my lovely Dotty hen... Having survived a particularly vicious attack of myco a few weeks ago, she recovered and seemed to have a new lease of life for a while. But she's not been eating - almost nothing since the attack, her poo is pretty much just water, I don't understand how she's still alive really. Seems interested in food, but just can't face it. I put it down to her age and her general health, and frankly saw it as her body winding down so she's 'fading' ready to die. She's been happy enough most of the time - tail up, pottering about with the others, just an occasional 'off' day - until a couple of days ago, and after the recent post about sour crop I did begin to wonder.

In brief (finally!), I tipped her upside down a few times yesterday and stinky liquid did come out, leaving her panting and rattling until things settled down again. There's still 'stuff' in her crop but probably more solid. To be honest, I'm loathe to do too much to her at once because I don't know how much she can cope with in her weakened state, so I left her alone to sleep in the kitchen until bedtime, and then she went to bed with the others. I have no idea whether I should be tempting her to eat, and if so what. I don't know if I should try to remove whatever's in her crop, and if so how to do so. I don't know whether I should try tipping her up again. I'm going to go look for some natural yogurt this afternoon, but I don't even know if I should be trying to get it down her while her crop's still full of whatever? I'm beginning to think she may have had 'stuff' in there since we got her, 3 years ago - is that possible??

If you can suggest anything I'd be grateful. Thx

[Verinda]

Hi Kathy, I've only kept hens for a year so not much experience. Except that Tilly is an elderly hen and I'm sure she had a sour or impacted crop recently. I read that you should gently and quite briefly massage her crop every so often which encourages her to bring up all that smelly water. I did that with Tilly but noticed she brought it up every time I picked her up anyway. I gave her dry porridge oats and she seemed happy to nibble at them. I didn't need to try yoghurt as she recovered so quickly. I read you can give her water with a dropper, in tiny amounts. I'm sure someone more knowledgeable than me will give you better advice.

I do hope Dotty recovers soon. Let us know how you get on.

[kathyd]

Thx Verinda .

[Verinda]

How is Dotty doing? I hope she's feeling better?

[Scarlet]

Sour crop problems can be aggravated and often caused by stodgy foods - bread, pasta, mashed potatoes (sorry Verinda!) etc. Long grass can also be a problem- free ranging on long grass isn't a cause for concern as the birds will peck it, when given it cut, they gulp it down in one go. Porridge given when the crop is full can also be a problem as it swells when wet. Giving treats like these aren't healthy for chickens especially ones with crop problems - they often reoccur. Although birds that have a sour crop on a regular basis usually has an underlying health problem.

You can drop in olive oil, and massage well daily to break it down. Yoghurt can be given if you think they will eat. Apple cider vinegar in their water is good too.
Stick to pellets and a small scattering of corn, with birds with crop problems.

[kathyd]

Sadly it's no longer an issue for Dots - I managed to kill her yesterday whilst massaging her crop and tipping her up to sick up the liquid.

[Scarlet]

Oh Kathy, I don't think you killed her! When I read your first post my initial reaction was to say cull her. I think she was well on her way. Birds that have recurring crop problems usually have an underlying health issue and they don't often have a long life. You did what you could.

[Verinda]

Ah Kathy, please don't think you killed her! That would be a horrible thing to have to live with and anyway you were only trying your best and you did give her a long and happy life so don't feel bad. I'd imagine the rest of her life would have been nothing but one illness after another anyway which would have been awful for her and you.

Oh, I'd better stop giving my girls porridge oats too then!

[Scarlet]

Verinda, sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind! If you want to give treats, mealworms or raisins etc are fab and they will love you forever. Feeding kids are similar - My kids would eat a bucket of chocolate if I let them and they will turn their noses up at fruit for dessert...

[Verinda]

Ok, I'll stick with raisons as I always have them in the cupboard. Thank you Scarlet

I just wanted to add, Kathy I'm sending you a big hug.